Organoleptic evaluation of crude drugs

Organoleptic evaluation of Crude drugs
Size
Shape
Colour
Odour
Taste
Fracture
External & Internal markings

1. ORGANOLEPTIC EVALUATION OF CRUDE DRUGS

2. ORGANOLEPTIC EVALUATION Organoleptic (lit. impression on the organs) refers to evaluation by means of the organs of sense and includes the macroscopic appearance of the drug, its odour and taste, occasionally the sound or snap of its fracture and the feel of the drug to touch.

3. For convenience of description the macroscopic characteristics of a drug maybe divided into following headings. Shape and size Colour Fracture External markings Odour and taste

4. SHAPE AND SIZE OF CRUDE DRUGS Crude drugs can be of different shapes etc. Cylindrical (Sarsaparilla) Sub cylindrical (Podophyllum)

5. Conical (Aconite) Fusiform (Sweet potato) Ovoid (Cactus)

6. Pyriform (Jalap) Terrete (Orchid) Disc shape ( Calumba )

7. SIZE OF CRUDE DRUGS Size of crude drugs may vary because their length, diameter and width is different. Size of crude drugs can be measured by vernier callipers in cm & mm. COLOUR External colour of crude drugs is mostly greyish brown and internal colour is whitish yellow, external colour maybe yellowish grey, yellowish brown, reddish orange to brown black. It is often more or less grey from clay dust.

8. FRACTURE There are three types of fracture. Complete fracture : the drug breaks completely when pressure is applied. Incomplete fracture : the drug does not break completely when fracture is applied. Short fracture : the drug breaks with a snap sound when pressure is applied.

9. Nature of fracture Nature of fractured surface is as important as fracture . Even: smooth surface Uneven: irregularly broken surface Granular : grain like appearance Hard : a compact surface Horny: Horn like surface Powdered: powdery surface Resinous : smooth glossy surface Conchodial : a resinous surface having the surfaces curved in convex and concave form.

10. External markings: How the drug looks externally. They may be classified as Furrows: alternate ridges and valleys due to shrinkage of internal parts caused by drying Wrinkles: fine or delicate furrows Annulations: transverse ring like markings on exterior Fissures: splits extending into tissues Nodule: rounded outgrowth on surface Scars: produced due to injury or cut

11. ODOR It is a very sensitive criteria based on individual perception. Odor may be divided into two main classes Distinct odor e.g. camphor and clove Indistinct odor d epending upon the amount of volatile constituents the drug possesses. The different odors may include Aromatic odor Alliaceous Camphoraceous 4. Spicy etc.

12. Taste Usually crude drugs cannot be tasted because some may be poisonous or may cause allergic reactions. But some tastes which are known are: Sweet taste e.g. liquorice, honey Acidic/sour taste e.g. lemon Saline/salty taste e.g. kashar Acrid taste : unpleasant and irritating e.g. Jalap

13. A handbook of pharmacognosy by V.E, Tyler Evaluation of crude drugs, mono or polyherbal formulation www.pharmatutor.org/.../evaluation of crude drugs EVALUATION OF CRUDE DRUGS|authorSTREAM www.authorstream.com/.../drfateha-2076158- evaluation - crude - drugs / Evaluation of crude drugs – OpenStudy .com assets.openstudy.com/.../54b24d9ae4b0bdcb3ccd4df2- References: